ZNF687 overexpression greatly promoted HCC stem cell-like traits and improved tumorigenic capability via transcriptional upregulation of the pluripotency-associated factors BMI1, OCT4 and NANOG. These results indicate that ZNF687 potentially has a critical oncogenic role in HCC progression and might represent a novel, valuable therapeutic target in HCC. The gene discussed is NANOG; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.